Cast-Iron Japanese Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a very high-maintenance plant to grow. They are a member of the morning glory family—and no, they are not the same as a yam! The yam and the sweet potato actually belong to two entirely different botanical families. The yam, hailing from Africa, was brought to the United States during the transatlantic slave trade. It was a top crop in Africa and quite similar to cassava root. Some people think the yam looks like the sweet potato, which is native to North America, and thu